Abstract: The invention is directed to an improvement in operation of wash columns, and more in particular to an apparatus for separating solid particles from a slurry and to a process for separating solid particles from a mother liquor slurry. The apparatus of the invention comprises a wash column (1), which comprises a melting circuit (8,10,11,21), wherein means (22,23) are present to introduce a compound or composition to said wash column between a wash front (6b) formed in said wash column in operation and a product outlet and/or in the melting circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering an organic compound from a feed stream comprising the steps of —extracting the organic compound into an organic solvent, thereby obtaining a mixture of the solvent and the organic compound; and —simultaneously crystallizing the solvent and the organic compound by cooling the mixture; and —separating the solid organic solvent and solid organic compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering an organic compound from a feed stream comprising the steps of—extracting the organic compound into an organic solvent, thereby obtaining a mixture of the solvent and the organic compound; and—simultaneously crystallizing the solvent and the organic compound by cooling the mixture; and - separating the solid organic solvent and solid organic compound.

Abstract: A method for treating a contaminated alkaline amino acid salt solution is provided. First, carbon dioxide is introduced into the amino acid salt solution, with the result that carbonate or carbonate salts is or are precipitated, these being filtered off. The remaining filtrate is then cooled, amino acid or amino acid salts being crystallized out and likewise being filtered off. The amino acid or amino acid salt is then dissolved again, with the result that a treated amino acid salt solution is recovered.

Abstract: A method for treating a contaminated alkaline amino acid salt solution is provided. First, carbon dioxide is introduced into the amino acid salt solution, with the result that carbonate or carbonate salts is or are precipitated, these being filtered off. The remaining filtrate is then cooled, amino acid or amino acid salts being crystallized out and likewise being filtered off. The amino acid or amino acid salt is then dissolved again, with the result that a treated amino acid salt solution is recovered.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improvement in operation of wash columns, and more in particular to an apparatus for separating solid particles from a slurry and to a process for separating solid particles from a mother liquor slurry. The apparatus of the invention comprises a wash column (1), which comprises a melting circuit (8,10,11,21), wherein means (22,23) are present to introduce a compound or composition to said wash column between a wash front (6b) formed in said wash column in operation and a product outlet and/or in the melting circuit.

Abstract: A rotating knife is disclosed for disintegrating a crystal bed formed in a washing column for processing suspension of solid particles in a liquid. The rotating knife is provided with a spoke support. The spoke support comprises at least two spokes. The relative angle of the spokes is between approximately 20° and approximately 80°.

Abstract: Process for purifying a stream comprising phosphoric acid and a first amount of impurities, comprising: forming a slurry of phosphoric acid crystals in a water mother liquor; separating the phosphoric acid crystals from the mother liquor by filtration in a wash column comprising a filtering element, while a packed bed of crystals coming from the slurry forms near such filtering element; washing the separated phosphoric acid crystals in the wash column by bringing a washing liquid in countercurrent to the crystals in the bed up to a wash front, where the washing liquid recrystallizes, the bed being subjected to a movement in the direction of such wash front; forming a purified stream comprising phosphoric acid and a reduced amount of impurities by melting at least part of the washed crystals; and extracting the purified stream from the wash column through a product outlet of the wash column; wherein water is introduced into the wash column, between the wash front and the product outlet and/or in a melting circ

Abstract: A wash column for processing a suspension of solid particles in a liquid comprising a bed forming chamber in which a packed bed of solid particles can be formed, filtrate extraction means for extracting liquid from the suspension as to form the packed bed of solid particles in the bed forming chamber, and a suspension supply line for supplying the suspension directly to an end of the bed forming chamber, wherein the suspension supply line ends in the bed forming chamber.

Abstract: A rotating knife is disclosed for disintegrating a crystal bed formed in a washing column for processing suspension of solid particles in a liquid. The rotating knife is provided with a spoke support. The spoke support comprises at least two spokes. The relative angle of the spokes is between approximately 20° and approximately 80°.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a crystallization process and apparatuses for such processes. In a first aspect, the process of the invention comprises a step wherein a liquid comprising a solvent and material dissolved therein, is subjected to crystallization conditions in the presence of Dean vortices, which Dean vortices result from said liquid flowing through a channel having at least one curvature. In a second aspect, the invention is directed to a crystallization process, which comprises a step wherein a liquid comprising a solvent, material dissolved therein and heterogeneous particles is subjected to crystallization conditions in the presence of Dean vortices, which Dean vortices result from said liquid flowing through a channel having at least one curvature, wherein said material crystallizes on solid surfaces, in particular on surfaces of the heterogeneous particles present in the feed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing at least one constituent from a solution, comprising:—forming a liquid mixture by bringing together said solution (1) and a particulate seed material (6) under conditions or in the presence of one or more substances which cause the constituent to be removed to crystallize out on the surface of the seed material; and—separating the seed material having the constituent to be removed crystallized out thereon from the liquid mixture by passing the liquid mixture through a filter (3), wherein the pore size of the filter (3) is greater than or equal to the particle size of the seed material (6). The invention also relates to a method for preparing a particulate material wherein use is made of the method according to the present invention. The invention also relates to the particulate material obtainable by this method. The invention further relates to an apparatus that can be used in the process of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing a suspension. According to the invention, a suspension is led into a washing column in which at least one filter element is present, so that near the filtering element, a packed bed of particles forms. The bed is disintegrated under the influence of the impulse of a washing liquid, while particles from the bed are incorporated in the washing liquid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a crystallization process and apparatuses for such processes. In a first aspect, the process of the invention comprises a step wherein a liquid comprising a solvent and material dissolved therein, is subjected to crystallization conditions in the presence of Dean vortices, which Dean vortices result from said liquid flowing through a channel having at least one curvature. In a second aspect, the invention is directed to a crystallization process, which comprises a step wherein a liquid comprising a solvent, material dissolved therein and heterogeneous particles is subjected to crystallization conditions in the presence of Dean vortices, which Dean vortices result from said liquid flowing through a channel having at least one curvature, wherein said material crystallizes on solid surfaces, in particular on surfaces of the heterogeneous particles present in the feed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing at least one constituent from a solution, comprising:—forming a liquid mixture by bringing together said solution (1) and a particulate seed material (6) under conditions or in the presence of one or more substances which cause the constituent to be removed to crystallize out on the surface of the seed material; and—separating the seed material having the constituent to be removed crystallized out thereon from the liquid mixture by passing the liquid mixture through a filter (3), wherein the pore size of the filter (3) is greater than or equal to the particle size of the seed material (6). The invention also relates to a method for preparing a particulate material wherein use is made of the method according to the present invention. The invention also relates to the particulate material obtainable by this method. The invention further relates to an apparatus that can be used in the process of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing a suspension. According to the invention, a suspension is led into a washing column in which at least one filter element is present, so that near the filtering element, a packed bed of particles forms. The bed is disintegrated under the influence of the impulse of a washing liquid, while particles from the bed are incorporated in the washing liquid.

Abstract: In order to remove a component from solid particle material by extraction, use is made of a column with one or more tubes which extend between the ends of the column, at least one filter being fitted in the wall of each tube. The particle material is fed in at a first end of the column and, forced by hydraulic pressure, moves along the abovementioned tubes to scraping means fitted at the second end of the column. Extraction liquid is fed into the column at the abovementioned second end and flows in countercurrent to the particle material in the direction of the abovementioned first end of the column. Extraction liquid with component from the particle material dissolved in said extraction liquid passes by way of the above mentioned filters into the abovementioned tubes and flows in countercurrent to the particle material to an outlet at the abovementioned first end. The particle material is scraped off at the abovementioned second end by the scraping means.

Abstract: In order to separate metals and/or metal alloys of different melting points from one another, a mixture of these metals and/or metal alloys is brought to a temperature at which the metal or the metal alloy of relatively low melting point is molten and the metal or the metal alloy of relatively high melting point is in the solid state. The solid constituents are separated from the melt, use being made of washing column with at least one filter which withstands the temperature of molten metal. Each of the filters is arranged in the wall of a separate pipe which extends through the washing column. The mixture is fed to one end of the washing column and moves along the pipe or pipes, towards means arranged at the opposite side of the washing column for removing solid crystalline material. The melt passes via the filter or filters into the pipe or pipes, and flows in countercurrent to the mixture situated on the outside of the pipe or pipes, towards a melt discharge.